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Ten Essential Christmas Specials You Should Be Watching This Holiday Season

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The holidays are upon us once again and That’s My Entertainment is giving you the top ten essential Christmas specials you should be watching this holiday season.


10. “Mr. Hankey, The Christmas Poo”
This classic South Park episode, while a little unorthodox, is a delightful tale of loving thy neighbor, regardless of their faith. Young Kyle Broflovski is ridiculed by his peers for being the only Jewish kid in school during Christmas time. He finds solace in his belief of Mr. Hankey, a talking, Christmas-themed piece of feces that brings gifts to children of all faiths. While the crude humor of South Park may be off-putting to some, it doesn’t shy away from the fact that the true meaning of the holidays is to love and cherish each other.


9. “A Flintstone Christmas”

An oldie, but a goodie! While this Christmas special may seem a bit cliched by today’s standards, this special set the standard for so many that followed. The story follows Fred and Barney taking over for old Saint Nick after a sprained ankle has him laid up for Christmas Eve. Packed with classic Flintstones humor, music, and holiday cheer, this special is a must for the holiday season.


8. “The Fairly Oddparents: Christmas Every Day”
This special ventures into the realm of magic as young Timmy Turner wishes for his favorite day of the year to repeat itself everyday. His eccentric Fairy Godparents Cosmo and Wanda make it so, but after week’s worth of Christmases, the world begins to fall into upheaval. Not to mention all the forgotten holidays (The Easter Bunny, The April Fool, etc.) that want revenge for taking away their time with the children of the world. It’s up to Timmy to beat the other holiday spirits to Santa and help reverse his wish. This special is a classic for kids that grew up in the early 2000s and may be one of the best episodes of The Fairly Oddparents ever written. Filled with clever humor, heart, and an incredibly catchy musical number by Guy Moon, this special is a must-see.


7. “Spongebob Squarepants: Christmas Who?”
Good ol’ Spongebob has been around long enough to have garnered two Christmas specials, but the original to this day still withstands the test of time. In “Christmas Who?” our square friend is introduced to the Christmas holiday by Sandy the squirrel, who is baffled to find that the undersea residents of Bikini Bottom have ever heard of Christmas. Spongebob shares Sandy’s tale of Santa with all of his friends, who then quickly begin writing their Christmas wishes. Squidward, however, remains skeptical as always. Packed with a ton of heart, Christmas cheer, and a knockout original song, this special has become a classic.


6. “Hey Arnold!: Arnold’s Christmas”
This classic 90’s series has delivered some of the best episodes ever written for television and this special is no exception. The episode begins with everyone’s favorite football head choosing his neighbor, Mr. Hyunh in the annual boarding house Secret Santa. While attempting to find out what Mr. Hyunh might like, Arnold discovers that Mr. Hyunh has a long lost daughter that he was separated from during the Vietnam War. Arnold and his best friend Gerald set out to track down Mr. Hyunh’s lost daughter, but several obstacles keep presenting themselves. This episode is notable for straying from the typical children’s Christmas specials and doesn’t include Santa. It stays grounded in reality and focuses on a boy’s journey to bring a broken family together again. It’s safe to say that “Arnold’s Christmas” is necessary viewing.


5. “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
This classic tale has been adapted for the screen a whopping three times (the most recent is now in theatres). It’s hard to imagine a Christmas without watching the original animated classic on television. Featuring a script nearly identical to the original text, along with spectacular direction by Chuck Jones and the legendary Boris Karloff as the voice of the Grinch, this special will always succeed in making our hearts “grow three sizes” at Christmas time.


4. “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

It goes without saying that this timeless classic deserves an annual viewing. It’s really hard to find anyone that hasn’t seen this timeless tale, which was actually the Peanuts’ first venture into animation. The special follows Charlie Brown as he struggles to find the true meaning of Christmas underneath the big, flashy commercialism. It isn’t until a disgruntled Charlie walks out on directing the annual Christmas play that the children surround him and lift his spirit with song. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is not to be missed.


3. “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town”
This classic Rankin/Bass special (along with many others) is featured on repeat in many households this time of year. Narrated by the legendary Fred Astaire, this classic stop-motion film provides an interesting backstory for Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney). As a baby, he was left on the doorstep of the toy-making Kringle family. Upon adopting and raising him to love toys and children, young Kris sets out to deliver the gifts to the children of the nearby Sombertown. Little does he know that toys have been outlawed by the heartless Burgermeister Meisterburger. Packed with delightful songs, humor, and a brief political undertone that doesn’t condescend to the audience, “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” is a timeless holiday classic.


2. “Frosty the Snowman”

Another Rankin/Bass classic, “Frosty the Snowman” does not follow the duo’s signature stop-motion and instead follows standard 2D animation. Nevertheless, this classic tale inspired by the Jack Rollins tune never fails to warm all of our hearts during the holiday season.


1. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
This Rankin/Bass classic may very well be the best. It’s always the first to air on television every year, signaling the start of the Christmas season. We all know the song. We all know the story. What we take away from Rudolph is the message that it doesn’t matter what you look like; it’s what’s on the inside that always counts. There has been some recent controversy surrounding the special, with audiences seeming the bullying scenes “too inappropriate” for young viewers. In reality, the scenes are tame, but it is important that children do see this special as the end message is clear that bullying is ultimately not okay and that one should always love thy neighbor regardless of their flaws.

Be sure to check out all of these classic Christmas specials this holiday season!

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Solo Leveling: Could We Be Getting Five Seasons and a Live-Action Movie?

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The anime adaptation of Solo Leveling has already created a massive buzz among fans of the popular webtoon and light novel series. Since its premiere announcement, the hype around the story of Sung Jin-Woo’s rise from the weakest hunter to the world’s mightiest has been palpable. Now, rumors swirling around the anime industry suggest that not only will the series extend over five seasons but it could also lead to a live-action movie adaptation. Could these rumors hold weight? Let’s break it down.

When Solo Leveling was confirmed as an anime adaptation, it was no surprise that expectations skyrocketed. The original story, written by Chugong and illustrated by the late DUBU, captivated millions with its breathtaking battles, compelling character arcs, and immersive world-building. The anime is being handled by A-1 Pictures, known for stunning productions like Sword Art Online and Blue Exorcist, which only adds to the excitement.

Given the vast amount of material in the source material, a five-season roadmap seems plausible. The light novel spans 270 chapters, and the webtoon is equally rich with detailed arcs. A five-season structure would allow the story to breathe, delivering each arc with precision instead of rushing through Sung Jin-Woo’s epic evolution.

The rumor mill isn’t just limited to multiple anime seasons. Whispers of a live-action movie have also captured fans’ imaginations. Hollywood’s growing interest in anime adaptations (One Piece, anyone?) combined with Solo Leveling’s global fanbase makes the possibility of a movie adaptation realistic.

Some speculate that the live-action adaptation would focus on the final arcs of the story or possibly a standalone tale set in the Solo Leveling universe. While anime-to-live-action transitions are often met with skepticism, the success of recent projects (Alita: Battle Angel and Netflix’s One Piece) suggests that studios are finally learning how to respect the source material.

Adapting a visually stunning and fast-paced story like Solo Leveling into live action would be no small feat. The series’ supernatural battles, intricate dungeon designs, and fantastical creatures would require top-tier CGI and production quality to match fan expectations. Casting would also be a critical factor—who could embody Sung Jin-Woo’s quiet intensity or Cha Hae-In’s graceful strength?

Furthermore, the cultural specificity of Solo Leveling, rooted in Korean mythology and history, would need to be handled with care. Fans are understandably wary of “Hollywood-ization,” which has often led to diluted or overly Westernized interpretations of beloved stories.

The possibility of a five-season anime adaptation has been met with widespread excitement. Many fans believe that extending the anime over multiple seasons would allow for a more faithful retelling of the story, capturing every thrilling fight and emotional moment. The potential for a live-action movie, however, has sparked mixed reactions. While some are optimistic about the idea of seeing Jin-Woo in a new medium, others worry about how the story’s essence could translate to live action.

While nothing official has been confirmed, the idea of Solo Leveling receiving five seasons and a live-action movie speaks to the enduring popularity of the franchise. Whether these rumors turn out to be true or simply fan speculation, one thing is certain: Solo Leveling is set to become one of the biggest anime adaptations in recent memory.

As we await more news, one thing’s for sure—this is just the beginning of Solo Leveling’s rise to global dominance. Fans, stay tuned. You won’t want to miss what comes next.

What do you think about the possibility of a live-action Solo Leveling movie? Do you believe the anime can deliver on its five-season promise? Let us know in the comments!

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Jurassic World Rebirth Official Trailer

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DEVA Movie Review

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Released in India: 2024

Released in the US: 2025

Genre: Action Thriller 

Runtime: Approximately 156 minutes 

Director: Rosshan Andrrews 

Writers: Story by Bobby–Sanjay; Screenplay by Bobby–Sanjay, Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, Arshad Syed, Sumit Arora 

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, Pravesh Rana, Kubbra Sait, Girish Kulkarni, Manish Wadhwa, Gaurav More, Abhilash Chaudhary, Pravin Patil, Aditi Sharma 

Music: Score by Jakes Bejoy; Songs by Vishal Mishra & Jakes Bejoy 

DEVA delivers on the star power of Shahid Kapoor and Pooja Hegde but falters in its attempt to adapt the gripping narrative of Mumbai Police into a high-octane Bollywood thriller. While the film offers moments of style and spectacle, it ultimately struggles to leave a lasting impact. 

Shahid Kapoor once again proves his mettle, seamlessly embodying the layered persona of Dev Ambre—a character who walks the fine line between law enforcer and lawbreaker. His screen presence, particularly in the electrifying dance number Bhasad Macha, injects much-needed energy into the film. However, despite his commanding performance, the film’s screenplay does little to elevate its storytelling beyond the standard action-thriller formula. 

Pooja Hegde, a talented actress, finds herself in a thankless role, serving more as a narrative device than a fully fleshed-out character. Her chemistry with Shahid is engaging, but the script doesn’t offer her much beyond the love interest trope, leaving her talents underutilized. 

As a remake, DEVA retains the framework of Mumbai Police but struggles to replicate its emotional depth and narrative intrigue. Despite a strong cast and an engaging visual style, the film feels like a Bollywoodized version of a Hollywood thriller—heavy on aesthetics but lacking in storytelling impact. 

DEVA is a star-driven spectacle that will appeal to Shahid and Pooja’s fan base but fails to live up to its source material’s gripping intensity. A stylish but ultimately underwhelming action thriller.

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